Method for treating obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring

ABSTRACT

A garment for the treatment of sleep apnea and/or snoring includes a member for attachment to an individual afflicted with sleep apnea and an elongate, position control member at the rear of the garment and extending outwardly therefrom. The elongate member is a continuous member having transversely spaced-apart side surfaces, and the side surfaces are joined to an outer wall of the position control member at elongate side edges. The side surfaces and/or side edges are located to engage a mattress or other sleeping surface when an individual wearing the garment is sleeping in a lateral position to aid in supporting the individual in a lateral position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/741,973, filed on Apr. 30, 2007, which claims the benefitunder 35U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/797,312,filed May 3, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to a device for treating obstructivesleep apnea, and more specifically, to a garment employed for treatingobstructive sleep apnea.

2. Description of Related Art

Numerous garments have been proposed for treating obstructive sleepapnea. It should be noted that obstructive sleep apnea can be eitherpositional or non-positional. Positional sleep apnea manifests itselfwhen an individual is sleeping in a supine position. Althoughnon-positional sleep apnea tends to manifest itself in all bodypositions, it still tends to be most severe when the individual is in asupine position. Also, as is well known, the effective treatment ofsleep apnea often tends to reduce or minimize snoring.

A number of prior art garments for dealing with sleep apnea employ apad, ball, or other member extending outwardly from the patient's back,generally in the center region thereof. If a person with sleep apnearolls onto his/her back while sleeping, a position which may cause thepartial or complete closure of the individual's airway, the raisedmember will provide the desired degree of discomfort either to wake upthe individual or to force the individual back into a prone or lateralposition, i.e., a position facing downward or on his/her side.Representative garments that provide the above-stated function aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 876,491; 898,379; 2,304,235; 3,485,241;5,357,981 and 6,357,444. In addition to the above enumerated patents,there are several other patents that disclose similar features. However,these prior art devices are not well designed to assist in maintaining aperson in a lateral position while sleeping.

Another approach to deal with the problem of obstructive sleep apnea,and in particular to aid in preventing a person from sleeping in asupine position, is to provide a garment with spaced-apart abutments,each being designed to maintain an individual on a respective lateralside while sleeping. However, it is believed that if a sleepingindividual does roll onto his back (i.e., into a supine position) thislatter garment may not create sufficient discomfort to either wake upthe individual or cause the individual to roll back into either a proneor lateral position. A representative device employing space-apartabutments is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,008.

Applicant believes that an improved garment for treating sleep apnea isneeded, which is relatively simple in construction, and has thecapability of both assisting in initially maintaining an individual in acomfortable, prone or lateral position while sleeping, and also creatinga sufficient degree of discomfort when the individual moves into asupine position, to either wake the individual up or force theindividual to move back into a prone or lateral position. It is to sucha simplified device that the present invention relates

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garment for the treatment of sleep apnea includes a member forattachment to an individual afflicted with sleep apnea and an elongate,position control member at the rear of the garment and extendingoutwardly therefrom. The elongate member is a continuous member havingtransversely spaced-apart side surfaces, said side surfaces being joinedto an outer wall of said member at elongate side edges. The said sidesurfaces and/or side edges are located to engage a mattress or othersleeping surface when an individual wearing the garment is sleeping in alateral position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a garment for treating obstructivesleep apnea in accordance with this invention, with the position controlmember illustrated as a separate element in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1,showing additional details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the position control member employed as partof the garment for the treatment of sleep apnea, it being understoodthat the top view has a similar appearance;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the member illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the member illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates the garment shown in FIG. 1 being worn about thewaist of an individual; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the same garment shown in FIG. 1 being worngenerally around the chest area of the individual.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this application to a “garment” is intended tobroadly refer to any member that can be worn or supported on the body ofan individual. The garment, therefore, includes such members as belts,shirts, vests, straps, etc. Although the garment in the preferredembodiment of the invention is in the form of a strap or belt member, inaccordance with the broadest aspects of the invention it can include anyother structure that can be worn or supported on the body of theindividual.

Throughout this application, reference to the position or location ofsurfaces or members, (e.g., rear, upward, lower, side, outer, inner,etc.) refers to the relative orientation/position of such surfaces ormembers when the garment is being worn by an individual who is in astanding position. It should be noted that the garment of this inventionis intended to treat positional sleep apnea and also will reduce theseverity of non-positional sleep apnea.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a representative garment employing a uniqueposition control member for treating sleep apnea is generally shown at10. The most unique feature of this garment resides in the unique,elongate, position control member 12. This member 12 can be made of anysuitable materials; preferably a material that is compressible, such asa plastic foam (polyurethane, polystyrene, etc.). This unique positioncontrol member 12, unlike other devices, has an elongate lateraldimension defined between opposed side surfaces 14 and 16, with theelongate dimension being established to aid in supporting/maintaining anindividual while that individual is sleeping in a lateral position. Inother words, the respective side surfaces 14 and 16, or at least anouter edge surface 18, 20 of a respective side surface is designed toengage the sleeping surface of a bed while an individual is lying in alateral position, i.e., lying on his/her side. This engagement aids inmaintaining the individual in a lateral position to minimize thelikelihood of the individual rolling into a supine position that couldcompletely or partially close off the airway of the individual duringthe time he or she is sleeping.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 3 and 5, the side surfaces 14 and 16 tapertoward each other in an inward direction, from outer surface 22 to innersurface 24 of the position control member 12. Although this isconsidered to be a preferred structure, thereby permitting thecompressible member 12 to engage the mattress or other sleep supportingsurface generally along either outer edge 18 or 20 (depending on whichside an individual is sleeping), it is within the broad scope of thisinvention to provide side surfaces or walls 14 and 16 in otherorientations, such as normal to the outer and inner surfaces 22 and 24,respectively.

In the most preferred embodiment of this invention, a generallyvertically elongate, positioning rib or abutment 26 extends outwardlyfrom outer surface segment 22 a, 22 b of the position control member 12,between upper and lower surfaces 28 and 30 of said member. This elongatepositioning rib 26, in a preferred construction, is generallyhemispherical, is located generally midway between outer edge surfaces18 and 20 of the position control member 12 and is a unitary part ofsaid member.

It should be noted that, in accordance with the broadest aspects of theinvention, the elongate member 12 can be provided as part of the garment10 in a variety of different ways.

In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 10 is shown in the form of abelt or strap having first strap portions 32, 34 intended to encirclethe side and front regions of an individual's torso. The strap portions32, 34 include cooperating Velcro® fastening elements 36, 38 (FIG. 2)adjacent forward edges thereof to maintain the belt in a desiredposition/orientation about the individual's torso. The rear edges of thestrap portions 32, 34, in the illustrative embodiment, are connected tointermediate, elastic sections 40, 42, to enable the strap portions tobe stretched about the person's torso prior to interconnecting themthrough the cooperating Velcro® members 40 and 42. This should maintainthe garment in a secure manner about the individual's torso. In additionthe inclusion of the elastic sections 40, 42 permits inspiratory chestexcursion.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment 10 also includes a back panel 44secured at its opposed lateral edges to the elastic members 40 and 42,and this back panel includes the position control member 12 on (or in)it. As illustrated, the back panel includes enlarged, upper and lowercontoured segments 46, 48 for generally engaging the wearers back in thespinal region thereof. These raised contoured segments provideadditional stability for the garment 10 and the position control member12 forming a part thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the belt can be fastened about anindividual's torso in different locations. FIG. 6 illustrates thegarment 10 secured about the individual's waist and FIG. 7 shows thegarment 10 secured generally about the individual's chest. It should benoted that FIGS. 6 and 7 are rear elevational views, actually depictingin phantom representation the back region of the individual.

The garment 10 is employed in the following manner:

The garment is placed about the torso of an individual in a desiredlocation, e.g., the waist region or chest region, and the first strapportions 32 and 34 are secured tightly about the individual's torsothrough the cooperating Velcro® fasteners 36, 38. It should be notedthat, prior to securing the Velcro® fasteners together the front strapportions 32 and 34 can be stretched tightly about the torso as a resultof the attachment of the strap members to elastic sections 40 and 42.

When the garment 10 is placed about the torso of an individual, such asin the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the individual issleeping, he or she initially can be comfortably positioned in a proneposition, on his or her stomach, or in a lateral position on his/herside. If the individual is in a lateral position the garment 10 isdesigned to assist in maintaining the individual in that position by theengagement of one of the side surfaces 14 or 16 (or one of the sideedges 18 and 20 thereof) with the mattress or other sleeping surface.The particular side surface or edge that engages the mattress or othersleeping surface depends upon the specific side on which the individualis sleeping.

One of the significant benefits of this invention is that it aids inmaintaining/supporting a sleeping person in a lateral position on his orher side. Although other devices have included structures for assistingin maintaining an individual in a lateral position while sleeping (e.g.,see U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,008) applicant's device provides this functionwith a unique, position control member 12 that also provides a second,very important benefit. Specifically, the elongate positioning rib orabutment 26 extending outward from outer surface segments 22 a, 22 b isdesigned to engage the mattress or other sleeping surface in the eventthat an individual overrides one of the side surfaces 14 or 16 or sideedges 18, 20 and moves into a supine position. When this occurs thepositioning rib 26, although partially compressed when the positioncontrol member 12 is formed of a compressible material, provides a forcethat is transmitted to the wearer's back, thereby either waking up thewearer, or causing the wearer to seek a more comfortable position, e.g.,either a prone or lateral position. Moreover, by maintaining a sleepingindividual in a lateral or prone position, snoring tends to beminimized, or even eliminated.

In summary, the single, elongate position control member 12 provides thedual functions of assisting in maintaining an individual on his or herside (i.e., in a lateral position), to thereby avoid problems with sleepapnea, and also, in the event the individual does roll into a supineposition, to provide a force against the individual's back that eitherwill awake the individual or force the individual to simply return toeither a lateral or prone sleeping position.

It should be understood that the elongate position control member 12 canbe included as part of the garment 10 in various different ways. First,it can be formed as a separate member that is secured to the garmentthrough cooperating fasteners attached to the inner surface 24 of themember 12 and the outer surface of the back panel 44. Alternatively, theback panel 44 can be provided with a pocket or pouch (or can actually bea pocket or pouch), e.g., made of nylon or other suitable material,secured thereto, into which the position control member 12 can beinserted and retained. In this regard, the inner surface of the pocketor pouch can be formed of a friction-containing material, such as a softnylon to help retain the position control member 12 therein. Stillfurther, the back panel 44 and the elongate position control member 12can be formed as a unitary structure. The specific manner of securingthe position control member 12 to the garment 10 is not considered to bea limitation on the broadest aspects of this invention.

Although the preferred embodiment of this invention includes the garmentin the form of the belt or strap member illustrated herein, it should beunderstood that this belt member can include a variety of differentstructures, and is not limited to the particular structure illustratedin FIG. 1. For example, the belt member may be designed without anyelastic section in it, and also with alternative types of fasteningmeans. In addition, as noted above, the rear panel can actually be inthe form of a pouch or pocket for retaining the position control member12 therein.

Moreover, as noted earlier, the garment 10 maybe in the form ofstructures other than belts, such as jackets, shirts, straps, etc.Although FIG. 1 illustrates the most preferred construction for thegarment 10, in accordance with the broadest aspects of this invention,the garment can include many different types of structures.

Although the most preferred embodiment of this invention has a raised,elongate positioning rib 26 extending outwardly from outer surfacesegments 22 a, 22 b, of the elongate position control member 12, it iswithin the broadest scope of this invention to eliminate the raisedpositioning rib 26, and simply provide the outer surface 22 as acontinuous, generally planar surface. Although this is not considered tobe the most preferred structure, it is believe that if an individualdoes roll into a supine position onto his or her back, the fact that theposition control member 12 does extend outwardly from the rear surfaceof the belt 10 will cause that member to supply sufficient localizedforce to the wearer's back to either wake the individual up or force theindividual to return to a prone or lateral position, possibly evenwithout the inclusion of a vertically raised positioning rib 26 or otherraised positioning abutment. Regardless of the specific structure of theposition control member 12, it is significant to note that the preferredconstructions are of a relatively simple, unitary structure.

It also should be noted that the garment 10, or at least the positioncontrol member 12, most likely will be provided in different sizes toaccommodate individuals of varying sizes. Most likely, the garment willbe offered in at least three sizes, e.g., small, medium and large. Itmay very well be desirable also to offer additional sizes, such as anextra large size.

In a representative, non-limiting example, the position control membercan have an outer transverse dimension of 10 inches between outer edges18 and 20, a transverse inner dimension of 8 inches between inner edgesof the side surfaces 14 and 16, a depth dimension between the outersurface segments 22 a, 22 b and the inner surface 24 of approximately 3½inches, a depth dimension between the inner surface 24 and the apex ofthe raised positioning rib 26 of about 5 inches and a height, betweenupper and lower surfaces 28 and 30 of approximately 4 inches.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments and examples thereof, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

1. A method of treating at least one of obstructive sleep apnea andsnoring of an individual when said individual is lying down, said methodincluding said individual carrying out the following steps: acquiringthe use of a garment having an elongate, position control member at therear thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, said position controlmember being a continuous member having an inner surface, an outersurface, and an elongate, transverse dimension defined by transverselyspaced-apart side surfaces, said side surfaces extending outwardly fromthe inner surface and being joined to the outer surface of said memberat elongate side edges of the outer surface, said side surfaces taperingaway from each other in a direction from the inner surface toward theouter surface whereby said outer surface has a elongate, transversedimension greater than the elongate, transverse dimension of the innersurface at least one of, said side surfaces and side edges being locatedto engage a mattress or other sleeping surface when an individualwearing the garment is sleeping in a lateral position to aid insupporting the individual in a lateral position; maintaining the garmentabout the torso of the individual with the elongate, transversedimension of the position control member extending transversely alongthe back of the individual with the inner surface adjacent the back ofthe individual and the outer surface being spaced outwardly from theinner surface and from the back of the individual, whereby when saidindividual is in a lying position at least one of said side surfaces andside edges of said elongate, position control member assisting inmaintaining said individual in a lateral position and providing animpediment to said individual moving into a supine position.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said position control member includes apositioning rib extending outwardly from the outer surface of theposition control member, said positioning rib functioning either to wakeup the individual or to cause the individual to move into a morecomfortable prone or lateral position in the event that the individualmoves into a supine position by overriding one of said side surfaces orside edges while laying down.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thegarment is selected from the group consisting of belts, straps, shirtsand vests.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the positioning rib isgenerally vertically elongate and is oriented approximately midwaybetween the side edges of said position control member.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said positioning rib has a hemispherical configurationin transverse cross-section.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein saidpositioning rib is a unitary part of the position control member.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the groupconsisting of: belts, straps, shirts and vests.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the garment is at least partially formed of an elasticmaterial, including the step of stretching said elastic material whenthe garment is placed about the torso of the individual.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the garment is at least partially formed of anelastic material, including the step of stretching said elastic materialwhen the garment is maintained about the torso of the individual. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the garment aboutthe torso of the individual is carried out by locating the positioncontrol member in an upper back region opposed to the chest of theindividual.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said garment is a belt.12. The method of claim 1, wherein said garment is a belt at leastpartially formed of an elastic material, wherein the step of maintainingthe garment about the torso of the individual is carried out with thebelt in a stretched condition.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thestep of maintaining said belt about the torso includes fastening saidbelt about the chest of the individual which permits inspiratory chestexcursion.
 14. A method of treating at least one of obstructive sleepapnea and snoring of an individual when said individual is lying down,said method including said individual carrying out the following steps:acquiring the use of a garment having an elongate, position controlmember at the rear thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, saidposition control member being a continuous member having an innersurface, an outer surface, and an elongate, transverse dimension definedby transversely spaced-apart side surfaces, said side surfaces extendingoutwardly from the inner surface and being joined to the outer surfaceof said member at elongate side edges of the outer surface, said sidesurfaces tapering away from each other in a direction from the innersurface toward the outer surface whereby said outer surface has aelongate, transverse dimension greater than the elongate, transversedimension of the inner surface at least one of, said side surfaces andside edges being located to engage a mattress or other sleeping surfacewhen an individual wearing the garment is sleeping in a lateral positionto aid in supporting the individual in a lateral position; maintainingthe garment about the torso of the individual with the elongate,transverse dimension of the position control member extendingtransversely along the back of the individual with the inner surfaceadjacent the back of the individual and the outer surface being spacedoutwardly from the inner surface and from the back of the individual andthereafter: lying down with the garment maintained about the torso,whereby at least one of said side surfaces and side edges of saidelongate, position control member assist in maintaining said individualin a lateral position and providing an impediment to said individualmoving into a supine position.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein saidposition control member includes a positioning rib extending outwardlyfrom the outer surface of the position control member, said positioningrib functioning either to wake up the individual or to cause theindividual to move into a more comfortable prone or lateral position inthe event that the individual moves into a supine position by overridingone of said side surfaces or side edges while laying down.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the positioning rib is generally verticallyelongate and is oriented approximately midway between the side edges ofsaid position control member.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein saidpositioning rib is a unitary part of the position control member. 18.The method of claim 14, wherein the garment is selected from the groupconsisting of: belts, straps, shirts and vests.
 19. The method of claim14, wherein the garment is at least partially formed of an elasticmaterial, including the step of stretching said elastic material whenthe garment is placed about the torso of the individual.
 20. The methodof claim 14, wherein the step of maintaining the garment about the torsoof the individual is carried out by locating the position control memberin an upper back region opposed to the chest of the individual.